Where Do Carpenter Ants Live?
Carpenter ants love moist wood, although, in a pinch, they will seek shelter in dry wood. Places like kitchens and bathrooms make great homes for these pests, as leaky faucets provide all the moisture they need. They are also known to make nests near poorly sealed window frames and chimneys, as well as around roof leaks.
Carpenter ants will bore tunnels through both dry and wet wood, building nests in any exposed wood they can find. Wet or damaged wood is easier for them to chew through, but they can also infest healthy wood.
Carpenter ants are similar to termites in how they build nests, but carpenter ants do not eat the wood they bore through. They simply chew it and remove it from their pathways, disposing of it through pre-existing cracks and openings in the surrounding wood.
Carpenter Ants vs. Termites
Did you know that carpenter ants can cause more damage than termites? Although carpenter ants do not eat wood, they chew it to create tunnels. You can tell the difference between carpenter ants and termites by looking at their wings, color, waist, and antennae.
- Unlike termites, carpenter ants have smaller wings that are proportional to their body. Termites often have longer wings that are equal in size and shape to their body.
- Carpenter ant workers are typically reddish or black, whereas termite workers are light-colored and often avoid light.
- The waist of a carpenter ant is pinched and narrow compared to the termite’s rectangular waist.
- Lastly, termite antennae are straight and beaded, whereas carpenter ants have bent or “elbowed” antennae.
How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants can be tricky to remove and keep away.
- The best way to control them is to remove and destroy their nest. Carpenter ants are not just annoying—they’re smart. They follow specific scent patterns, so if you can track their behavior, you can locate the nest.
- However, be careful when removing carpenter ant nests. When they feel disturbed, they will bite! They can also spray a defensive acid into the bite wound, intensifying the pain.
- Eliminating any sources of moisture or standing water around your property will also help deter these pests from being attracted to your home.
Due to the nature of carpenter ant colonies, treatments must reach the center of the colony to be effective. That’s why handling a carpenter ant infestation is best left to professionals. If you spot a carpenter ant in your home, do not step on it or spray it. While there are DIY methods to get rid of carpenter ants, they can be tricky.
Call Epcon Lane, your trusted pest control professional, to take care of your carpenter ants today!
